Snape Maltings Concert Hall

Built by Newson Garrett in the mid-19th century, the 832-seat Concert Hall began life as a malthouse. Officially opened in 1967 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Hall suffered serious fire damage two years later, re-opening in time for the Aldeburgh Festival the following year.

Backstage tours of the Concert Hall can be arranged: click here for more information.

With an unparalleled view across the River Alde, the Oyster Bar and Restaurant are open to ticket holders on concert days; please click here for more information.

Hoffmann Building

Britten Studio, Jerwood Kiln Studio, Foyle Studio, Weinrebe Studio

Opened in May 2009, the Hoffmann Building features two spaces suitable for performances as well as a number of additional rehearsal rooms, office space and a social area (The Bakery).

The centrepiece of the building is the new Britten Studio, designed to have an excellent and flexible acoustic with a high level of sound insulation for recording. Ideal for orchestral rehearsals, it can also be used as a 340-seat venue.

The Jerwood Kiln Studio, which seats up to 80 people in a flexible configuration, is an ideal space for smaller groups to rehearse, and is equipped for video and electro-acoustic installations. The Studio retains the double-height roof and much of the existing fabric of the original kiln structure.

Britten–Pears Building

Peter Pears Recital Room, Holst Library, Rehearsal rooms

A former barley store, the Britten–Pears Building was officially opened in 1979 by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Peter Pears held many of his legendary early masterclasses in the Recital Room, a 112-seat space suitable for both rehearsals (with seats retracted) and more intimate performances.

The Holst Library is administered by the Britten–Pears Library - click here for more information.

Dovecote Studio

With its simple, light interior and stunning views of the marshes from a small inside writing platform, the Dovecote Studio was created particularly for composers, writers and visual artists to work in.

The Pumphouse

Launched in 2000, the Pumphouse has quickly established itself as a charismatic addition to the Aldeburgh Festival. The combination of its raw-found beauty, intimacy and eclectic programme has made it very popular with audiences and performers.

Stories of world premieres performed on spoons, shows involving feathers and honey, Elvis impersonators and late night impromptu appearances by some of the world’s top musicians have already entered the Aldeburgh Festival folklore.

With little or no infrastructure, the Pumphouse has only just been able to stay ahead of licensing regulations, until recent years when it became increasingly apparent that we would have to make basic improvements in order to conform to modern standards.

Thanks to an initial grant from Suffolk Coastal District Council and a lease granted by Aldeburgh Town Council for a small strip of land alongside the property, we are now in a position to move ahead and make modest improvements to the building.

Plans have been drawn up by Haworth Tompkins, the same architects who have won so much acclaim for our project at Snape Maltings, for an extension down the west side to include a dressing room, toilets and a small foyer.

Wanting to preserve the unique nature of the Victorian brick structure, the proposed extension takes its cue from the nearby allotment sheds, industrial workshops and the fisherman's huts on the beach and is expected to be completed in 2011.

The money for the building work is largely in place though we will be asking supporters of the Pumphouse to consider contributing to the running costs from next year, when we plan to have it up and running again.

The Britten–Pears Story and Snape Maltings Concert Hall tour

Click below to view a short video about the history of the Aldeburgh Festival and the Britten–Pears legacy, and for a tour of Snape Maltings Concert Hall with the late maltster and Concert Hall manager, Bob Ling.